Male Infertility Treatment in Kolkata

Male infertility: low sperm count and what helps

In about half of couples who struggle to conceive, a male factor plays a part. It is common, it is nobody's fault, and in most cases something can be done. Male fertility is one of Dr. Brahma's special interests.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Debalina Brahma, MBBS, DGO, DRCOG, DFFP (London)
Updated 21 October 2026

Reading a semen report

Measure	WHO lower limit
Volume	1.4 ml
Concentration	16 million per ml
Total motility	42%
Progressive motility	30%
Normal forms	4%

One abnormal report is not a diagnosis. Fever, illness and stress can lower the numbers for weeks, so a second test is done 6–12 weeks later before any decision.

Common causes

Varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum)
Smoking, heavy alcohol, obesity, anabolic steroids or testosterone supplements
Heat: hot baths, laptops on the lap, long hours of driving or sitting
Past infections such as mumps orchitis, or sexually transmitted infections
Hormone problems, undescended testes in childhood, genetic causes
Blockage of the sperm ducts (in obstructive azoospermia)

What helps

Stop smoking and cut alcohol. Reach a healthy weight. Avoid heat.
Never take testosterone or bodybuilding supplements while trying for a baby: they can stop sperm production completely.
Treat infections and hormone problems.
Varicocele repair in selected men with a clear varicocele and abnormal semen.
IUI for mild problems; ICSI for moderate to severe ones.
Surgical sperm retrieval (PESA, TESA, micro-TESE) with ICSI for azoospermia.

Questions

Can a man with zero sperm count become a father?

Often, yes. If sperm is being made but cannot get out, it can almost always be retrieved with a needle. Even when production is very low, sperm can be found in a proportion of men by micro-TESE. Hormone and genetic tests guide the plan.

Do supplements improve sperm count?

Antioxidants may help a little in some men, but the evidence is modest. Stopping smoking, losing weight and avoiding heat do more.